SARDI’S SHINING STAR
Noted performers from stage and screen stepped into the spotlight for the 23rd annual “A Night at Sardi’s” celebration to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
The flamboyant festivities took place at the posh Beverly Hilton.
In keeping with tradition, the Broadway-style show featured a splashy musical review with toe-tapping, sing-a-long songs from “Wicked,” “Hairspray,” “DreamGirls” and “Hello Dolly!”
Moviemakers and the cast of the Academy Award-winning film “Still Alice” received the Abe Burrows Entertainment Award. Actress Julianne Moore, who picked up an Oscar and swept the rest of the awards season, got special acclaim for her portrayal of a young woman fighting Alzheimer’s and was the toast of this year’s red carpet season. New Kids on the Block’s Joey McIntyre was given the Caregiver of the Year Award.
Performers included the cast of “The Big Bang Theory,” Beau Bridges, Matt Lanter, Brad Paisley and Lea Thompson. Laurie Burrows Grad and Peter Grad served as event co-chairs.
Over the years, Sardi’s has contributed more than $25 million in support of the Alzheimer’s Association, critical care, support and research programs.
JUSTICE FOR JUDY
The Honorable Judith Sheindlin (better known as television’s Judge Judy) got her day in the limelight, but it wasn’t on the bench. Sheindlin was lauded by The Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai as a “Woman of the 21st Century” in a special ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
The program featured an awards luncheon and fashion show as well as familiar faces, including TV mom Florence Henderson. Style-loving guests were treated to a sneak peek of Escada’s 2015 Spring/Summer Collection. Sleek models pranced down the runway and, as always, the coveted label was quite a crowd pleaser. Fashionistas were also treated to a “two martini” spa lunch, but hold the booze, please. Instead, they savored a sweet pea soup starter and coconut sorbet for the finishing touch. Open-faced chicken sammies were served as the main course. Luncheon chairs Wendy Goldberg and Lorette Gross introduced Fox 11 news anchor Christine Devine.
The highlight came when Guild President Hella Hershson presented a check for a whopping $1 million to the Guild. The document was then handed over to Cedars-Sinai Vice President of Community Relations Arthur Ochoa, who accepted on behalf of the hospital. He responded by thanking everyone for the years of support saying, instead of a big cardboard prop, “This has the advantage of being ‘the real deal.’” The proceeds represent a successful fundraising effort from the previous year.
Then it came time for the afternoon’s honoree and here comes the judge. “So what is the 21st century woman?” The judge explained with a simple response. “That answer is easy. The 21st century woman is anything she wants to be.” Case dismissed!